Sacramento basketball

If anyone is still sporting a Doubting Thomas t-shirt and debating the prominence of Sacramento area basketball in northern California hoops, please read on.

Here are the most heralded of recent vintage, including four Sactown area collegiate bigs who likely will be earning NBA paychecks in the near future:

* Noah Blackwell, 6-foot-2, 190, Long Beach State - enjoyed a solid freshman year

* Marquese Chriss, 6-foot-10, 233, Washington - will be in the NBA next season

* Cameron Oliver, 6-foot-8, 225, Nevada - a sophomore year in Reno and then $$$

* Malik Pope, 6-foot-10, 205, San Diego State - the most likely candidate for a bust out season since his team needs big production from him

* DJ Wilson, 6-foot-10, 240, Michigan - will be a redshirt sophomore for Coach John Beilein and has gained 40 pounds since his senior year

Then there is another foursome on the cusp of entering college although one will be on the pitcher's mound rather than the basketball court:

* Jordan Ford, 6-foot-1, Folsom High - chose the perfect level as well as offense/program that will play to his best strengths

* Christian Terrell, 6-foot-4, Sacramento High - possesses the size and potential to become a rotation player early on

* Solomon Young, 6-foot-6, Sacramento High - selfishly wish he had decided to attend a regional school -- rather than Iowa State -- in order to see him play at the next level

* Matt Manning, 6-foot-6, Sheldon High - will be pitching for LMU if he doesn't turn professional but could have easily gone to a solid D1 program as a basketball talent

So there's been a shift in size lately but prospects like Woodcreek's Jordan Brown, Capital Christian's Christian Wriedt as well as 6-foot-7 Elias King of Christian Brothers will soon reverse that.